Dr. Thomas Shaknovsky, a Florida osteopathic doctor accused of removing the wrong organ during surgery, has voluntarily surrendered his medical license in Alabama, where he was also licensed. This decision comes in the wake of an ongoing investigation into the death of a patient in Florida.
The Alabama Medical Licensure Commission accepted Dr. Shaknovsky’s license surrender on Monday, following the suspension of his license in both Florida and Alabama. The surrender follows the tragic death of Bill Bryan, a veteran, in August 2023 at Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, Florida. Bryan died after Shaknovsky mistakenly removed his liver instead of his spleen, a critical error that prompted the Florida Surgeon General to issue an emergency suspension of Shaknovsky’s medical license. Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo described Shaknovsky’s actions as “egregious” and deemed him an immediate danger to public health, citing not only the wrong organ removal but also allegations of falsifying medical records.
This is not the first instance of medical misconduct involving Shaknovsky. In May 2023, he performed surgery at the same hospital where he removed part of a patient’s pancreas instead of the adrenal gland, claiming the organ had “migrated.” According to Florida Insurance Regulation records, the patient sustained permanent injuries, including organ damage and the loss of fingers. The case was settled for $400,000.
In another incident in August 2023, a patient under Shaknovsky’s care died due to infection complications following colon surgery at the same hospital. The Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration is investigating these incidents.
Bill Bryan’s widow, represented by attorney Joe Zarzaur, has filed for a civil lawsuit, which is still in its pre-suit phase. Once the pre-suit process is complete, the lawsuit will proceed.
A hearing to address Shaknovsky’s medical license status in Florida has not been scheduled yet. Attempts to contact his attorney have not been successful.
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